Awareness of risk factors and warning signs of stroke among nursing students: Results from questionnaire

It is important to inform nursing students about stroke and improve their role in the clinic.

We aimed to assess the awareness/knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among nursing students. Therefore, we aimed to assess the awareness/knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among nursing students.

The descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2017 and March 2018 with intern students at the faculty of nursing of a university. The sample consisted of 173 students. The data were collected by researchers using "Student Information Form" and "Information Form about Stroke". The ethical and institutional permission were obtained to conduct the research.

Hypertension (96.5%) for risk factors, weakness (98.8%) for warning signs, blood pressure control (96.5%) for prevention measures were the most commonly identified factors. Approximately half of the students had a good level of awareness/knowledge of risk factors (53.2%) and warning signs (53.8%) for stroke. The majority of students (84.4%) had a good level of awareness/knowledge of prevention measures. Ninety-five percent of the students stated that calling an ambulance would be the first appropriate action.

Students had a good knowledge of some of the warning signs and risk factors about stroke. Therefore, it is recommended that this subject should be emphasized more in course contents.